Catharine, Illinois
Catharine, Illinois | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 41°31′23″N 88°43′09″W / 41.52306°N 88.71917°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | LaSalle |
| Township | Serena |
| Elevation | 643 ft (196 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 815 & 779 |
| GNIS feature ID | 405700 |
Catharine, formerly known as Burgess Junction, is an unincorporated community in Serena Township, LaSalle County, Illinois, United States. Catharine is located along County Route 2, 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Sheridan. Burgess Junction was named for a Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad attorney. Its name was changed to Catharine in 1968 by the CB&Q at the request of Ellis Waller who proposed to Catharine (Katie) Bentley there on May 23, 1968, during a fund raising railroad excursion that Ellis had arranged.
Ellis asked the railroad to rename Burgess in honor of Catharine and the railroad agreed. A surprise reception was held on a CB&Q private car in Union Station where Catharine was presented with the metal sign that would be erected at the junction.